Diaphanous Hearts {Harry Potter/Parvati Patil}

14|| Unsatisfactory Conversations

Parvati was on edge all day, trying to spot Harry. Every time she'd turn her head, Parvati would think she had seen him in the corner of her eye, but it was always just her imagination.

Being constantly on edge sapped the energy from the pretty fourteen year old. Her usually sparkling brown eyes were dull and the skin underneath was slack and slightly red from exhaustion. Parvati hadn't been sleeping well since Harry pulled the body of Cedric Diggory from the maze.

Sitting down for dinner, Lavender cast a concerned glance at her friend. "Ti... Maybe you should go to bed, you look terrible."

Parvati smiled half-heartedly, "No, I'll go up after dinner."

Lavender shrugged and pulled her blonde curls into a high bun. "If you're sure..." She glanced in concern at Parvati, who was looking around the hall. "What are your plans for the summer?"

This had caught Parvati's attention since she and her family were going to France for a month in the holiday. "Yes, didn't I tell you?" Lavender shook her head, and Parvati continued. "We're going to France!"

Lavender's face lit up, "Really? Oh, that's so great!"

"What are you planning to do?" Parvati asked, a smile introducing itself to her face.

"Oh, we're going to stay with my grandparents for a week. They live near the beach, I'll be able to go swimming and walk along the beach with Jess." Lavender said, smiling dreamily.

Jess was Lavender's families pet, a beautiful Border Collie who loved Lavender more than anyone in the world. Unfortunately, Lavender couldn't bring the big dog to Hogwarts which annoyed both of the girls.

"That sounds really nice, maybe you'll meet some guys." They both giggled then Parvati's face fell. Lavender, who was on the other side of the table, turned around to see the entrance to the Great Hall. She felt her heart sink as she saw Harry Potter walk into the room, she wasn't sure why he made her feel so terrible; he was a nice person and made Parvati very happy, but Lavender felt he was bad news. Harry looked awful. His black hair was even messier than normal, there were bags under his eyes which suggested a lack of sleep and his usually bright green eyes were dull and half hidden by drooping eyelids. 

"He doesn't look very good," She said uncertainly, glancing from Harry to Parvati who was biting her lip.

"No... He doesn't," The dark haired girl agreed in a grudging tone. "I think I'm going to go talk to him." The girl stood up, but before she could walk towards Harry, Lavender copied her.

"I don't you should just rush up to him, maybe talk after dinner. He looks pretty stressed."

Parvati nodded and sat down, looking dissatisfied but accepting it. With some encouragement from her best friend, Parvati piled some food on her plate and began to eat.

After Parvati and Lavender finished their meals, they both stood up, sharing looks full of meaning. The pair walked down the table, making a beeline for Harry, Ron and Hermione only one of who saw them. Parvati saw Hermione look up from her meal and her expression change. She leant forward and prodded Harry in the arm, gesturing towards the approaching girls whilst talking rapidly. Parvati and Lavender were too far away to hear Hermione's words, but judging by their body language and facial expressions she was telling him to go meet her. Harry stood up, rubbed his nose and glanced nervously around as Parvati stopped in front of him.

"Um, Harry. Could I have a word?" She asked,

"Yeah, sure," Harry replied, though not moving at all. Parvati looked expectantly at him, but the raven haired boy seemed completely unaware of her meaning.

"Maybe out in the Entrance Hall?" Parvati said, blushing slightly at having to be so upfront.

Harry spluttered an answer before Parvati turned and began to walk with him to the door.

"Didn't think you liked a girl like that, Potter!" Pansy Parkinson called from the doors where she was waiting with a group of friends who all laughed raucously.  "She looks like she's rolled in mud!"

Parvati ignored Pansy's jab at her skin colour, but she felt Harry tense beside her. "Just ignore it, Harry. It's fine,"

Harry didn't listen, "How many times were you dropped as a baby, Parkinson? Or does your face naturally look like that?"

The girls face twisted with rage but didn't reply as Parvati laughed openly. Once her giggles stopped, an awkward silence fell between Harry and Parvati. 

When they reached the bottom of the marble staircase, Parvati and Harry both sat on the lower stairs to talk without being overheard by the Slytherin girls. 

"So..." Harry began, nervously wiping his palms on his robes.

"Are you okay, Harry?" Parvati asked, turning towards him.

Harry looked slightly taken aback but Parvati couldn't think why, what she said hadn't been odd or out-of-the-blue at all. "yeah, of course. Madam Pomphrey fixed me up right enough-"

"I don't mean physically, Harry," Parvati said abruptly, blushing as she looked at her hands. "I mean... mentally. You- You've been through so much, especially just in this year. It's more than most people can handle-"

"I'm fine, Parvati," Harry said, with a slightly bitter tint to his words.

"Are you sure? If you need someone to talk to I'm happy to help."

"You wouldn't be able to help," Harry said, the coldness in his voice very apparent now. He stood up, and Parvati did the same.

"I'm sorry, Harry. I was just worried about you," Parvati said defensively, stepping away from Harry, confused.

"Well, a lot of people are worried about me. I don't want to talk about it," Harry stared out one of the big glass windows. 

Parvati felt her heart sinking, "Yeah. I suppose you don't." She nearly whispered, "I- I'm sorry I bothered you." She said before rushing up the marble stair case, trying to hide the mix of emotions rushing through her. Confusion, anger, sadness. Her eyes grew slightly wet as she tried to understand what had hapened to Harry, what had happened in that maze.